Foam producing and applying device

ABSTRACT

A housing is to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied; a reservoir means for a foamable substance is in the housing and a trough-shaped distributor is arranged to receive foamable substance from the reservoir. A foaming arrangement is provided including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement and extending in part into the distributor to pick up foamable substance therein and for subsequently converting it into foam.

I 1 i United States Patent 1191 1111 3,750,216 Leifheit 5] Aug. 7, 1973 [54] FOAM PRODUCING AND APPLYING 2,857,606 /1958 Sperka /98 DEVICE 3,041,644 7/1962 15/50 C 3,328,829 7/1967 Nighswander 401/22 X Inventor: Gunter Leifhelt, Nassau/Lahn, 3,543,321 12/1970 Raia 15/50 c Germany [73] Assignee: Leifheit International Giinter E Leifheit KG, Nassau/Lahn, Germany jzgi i w z g ag 2:2 Roberts [22] Filed: Sept. 10, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 179,295

[57] ABSTRACT Foreign Application Priority Data A housing is to be moved over a surface to which foam Sept. 12, 1970 Germany P 20 175.6 is to be applied; a reservoir means for a foamable substance is in the housing and a trough-shaped distributor US. Cl- C, i g d t iv fo mable ub tance from the res- [5 l ervoir A foaming arrangement is provided including at Fleld of Search C, C, 98, lea t one foaming element mounted for rotary move- 15/3201 24; 401/22 ment and extending in part into the distributor to pick up foamable substance therein and for subsequently [56] References Cited converting it into foam.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,596,041 8/1926 Young 15/320 11 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII I'll, IIIIIIIIII'IIJ III III PATENIEL AUG 7 I975 SHEET 1 OF 3 llllillllllllllll H'P'm lllllllllllllllllIlllllIllIII|||IllIllllIllllllllllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllll a::w::mauasuumw:was

f9 mmlllllfllllmllllllllllllIlllllllllmwlllIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIHH lflgggggggggg 1' i u PM 1 mlllIlllllllllllllllllllllllnllllililllllllllllllllllllIlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll||l|lllllllllllllllllllllll||lllllllllllIllmllllllllllllllllllllmlllilmlll II IN Hill Hill illiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiihfliiiiHiiiiiiiiiii m? llllIllllllllllllllllllllllllllilllllllllllllfllilINIllllllllllllllllllillllll P/ PAIENIED M19 7 I973 SHEET 3 UF 3 i FOAM PRODUCING AND APPLYING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a cleaning device, and more particularly to a device for cleaning with the aid of foam. Still more particularly the invention relates to a cleaning device for producing and applying a cleansing foam.

Devices of this type are already known and are used in such applications as the cleaning of rugs, carpets, upholstery and the like. Conventionally, such devices provide a reservoir in which the foamable substance, that is liquid, is accommodated and from which the liquid is supplied via a drip conduit or the like located above the converting devices or foam-producing devices, to the latter where it is converted into foam which is then supplied to the surface to be treated. As already indicated by this comment, these prior-art devices require that the reservoir for the liquid which is to be converted into foam must be located at a level above the foaming device, which means that the total height of these Cleaning devices is relatively significant and the devices are not very easy to handle. On the other hand it is not possible to avoid this because only by locating the reservoirin this manner in the known devices is it possible to assure proper unhindered supply of cleaning liquid to the foaming device for conversion into foam.

On the other hand, it has been found that with such constructions it is difficult to precisely or relatively precisely meter the amount of cleaning liquid which reaches the foaming device, because the conduit or conduits through which the liquid is supplied must have i certain minimum cross-sections in order to preclude clogging. It is therefore quite a frequent occurrence in the prior-art devices that an excessive quantity of cleaning liquid is supplied to the foaming device, where it is only in part converted into foam whereas quite frequently a substantial quantity of the liquid reaches the surface to be treated-that is a carpet or the like-- in which non-foamed state, wetting the carpet and frequently damaging it as a result thereof.

Evidently it is thus desirable to provide'further improvements in the state'of this art, but such improvements have not heretofore been forthcoming.

SUMMARY-OF THE INVENTION It is, accordingly, an object of the present invention I to provide an improved device of the type hereunder discussion which is not possessed of the abovementioned disadvantages of the prior art.

More particularly it is an object of the present invention to provide. such an improved device which can be relatively low and, in fact, quite flat in its construction.

A concomitant object of the invention is to provide such an improved device in which the foaming components of the device will always receive a relatively precisely metered quantity of foaming liquid which can be converted into foam of properly dry consistency, and which will not reach the surface being treated in liquid state.

A concomitant object of the invention is' to provide such a device which is simple in its construction and easyto handle.

In pursuance of the above objects, and of others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the invention resides in a foam producing and applying device which, briefly stated, comprises housing means adapted to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied. Reservoir means is provided in the housing means for a foamable substance, and trough-shaped distributor means is arranged to receive foamable substance from the reservoir means. Finally, I provide foaming means including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement and extending in part into the distributor means for pick-up of foaming substance therein and for subsequent conversion of the picked-up foamable substance into foam.

The foaming element is wholly or in part of an absorbent character as is already known from the art, so that it can absorb the cleaning liquid prior to converting it into foam. This means that the pick-up of foaming liquid is more or less automatically regulated in dependence upon the rotational speed of the foaming element and therefore of the ability of the foaming element to convert the picked-up liquid into foam.

Of course, more than one foaming element can be provided as part of the foaming means, and if several are provided it is advantageous that they be located at different levels as seen with respect to the surface over which the device is to be moved for cleaning purposes, in which case it is advantageous that at the level of the bottom wall of the reservoir means the distributor embrace a lower foaming element from below. In this manner the distributor not only can receive the total contents of the reservoir means, but the overall height of the cleaning device is then determined essentially only by the height of the reservoir means itself. Furthermore, such a construction assures that such cleaning liquid which may have been picked up from the distributor by the associated foaming element in excess of the amount that can be foamed at any given time, and which then drips off again from the foaming element, will drip not onto the surface being treated but back into the distributor itself.

It is also advantageous, for the same reasons just outlined above, that the circumferential surface of the single foaming element, or that foaming element of a plurality which cooperates with the distributor in the manner outlinedabove, tightly contact marginal portions bounding the open side of the distributor so that excess liquid which has been picked up and which during fur ther rotational movement of the foaming element would drip off, is stripped off by the marginal portions of the distributor and falls back into the latter. The marginal portions may be provided for this purpose with inwardly projecting thickenings or beads to further assure the desired stripping action. Further this construction assures that if the device is moved from its normally operating position, for instance if it is tilted or otherwise shifted during transportation, storage or the like the cleaning liquid cannot run out of the distributor and cause possible damage. A further desirable step in this connection is to construct the longitudinally spaced end walls of the trough-shaped distributor in essentially pocket-shaped configuration with the margins bounding these end walls contacting the opposite axial end face of the foaming element associated with the distributor. This means that outflowing of liquid from the distributor can be prevented in all conditions which the device can normally be expected to assume, because if the device is so tilted that the liquid runs towards one or the other opposite end walls of the distributor it can become accumulated in the pocket thereof. A particularly trouble-free and sturdy construction is assured if the journalling of the foaming element associated with the distributor is effected in journals located above the pocket-shaped configurations so that a proper sealing effect along the lines mentioned above is always assured.

One of the important considerations in a device of this type is that simple and reliable supply conditions of liquid from the reservoir means to the distributor are assured, and that further an even distribution of the cleaning liquid from the distributor onto the associated foaming element be guaranteed. To achieve this it is advantageous according to a further concept of the present invention to provide in the distributor a longitudinally extending upwardly open groove or trough whose length corresponds approximately to the length of the foaming element associated with the distributor and which communicates with the reservoir means to receive cleaning liquid therefrom. With such a construction the foaming liquid can be supplied from the reservoir into the trough at a single location, and will then move evenly along the trough filling the same everywhere, and from there will either overflow or pass through appropriately located openings to be distributed evenly to all points of the distributor itself. To make the distribution to the distributor still more even it is advantageous that the width of the open side of the trough be smaller than the width at the bottom of the trough. The communication between the distributor and the reservoir means is usually provided along one of the longitudinal sides of the distributor, and it is advantageous to locate the trough at this particular longitudinal side and to form it with an opening communicating with the supply channel which receives liquid from the reservoir means, in the central region of the trough and at the side thereof facing away from the open side of the trough.

Also, in order to assure for a reliable and rigid construction, especially a proper connection between the reservoir means and the distributor, it is advantageous to make the two as a rigid structural unit, connecting them via the liquid supply channel on the one hand and appropriate webs on the other hand. Especially when the distributor is located beneath one of the foaming elements such a construction assures that the reservoir means and the distributor can be spaced apart by a sufficient distance so that the foam generated by the foaming element or elements can properly pass between them to the surface which is to be treated, that the space through which the foam passes will always remain the same, and that nevertheless structural strength of the thus-obtained unit is assured.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention, with some parts omitted for the sake of clarity;

FIG. 2 is a bottom-plan view of the device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partly sectioned plan view of a detail of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a section taken on line IV-IV of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a section taken on line V-V of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a section taken on line VI-VI of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Discussing the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 now in more detail, it will be seen that in FIG. 1 l have designated the cleaning device in tote with reference numeral 10. Certain portions have been omitted as not essential for an understanding of the invention, for instance the handle which is to be connected with a connector 11 carried on the bracket 12 which is pivotably mounted on the device 10, has not been shown. Also, the device has a cover which covers the reservoir means 14 for the cleaning liquid to be foamed, as well as the foam producing unit 13, and this cover also has been omitted as not essential for an understanding of the invention and, in fact, as concealing portions of the device if illustrated.

The foam producing unit will be seen to be constituted here by three turnably journalled cylindrical foaming elements 15, 16 and 17 each of which is constructed, in a manner known per se, of a rigid core which is mounted for rotation and a cover or jacket surrounding the core and composed of absorbent elastically compressible material, such as synthetic plastic foam material. In the illustrated embodiment the elements 15, 16 and 17 are so located with reference to one another that they are mounted in an essentially triangular formation with the element 15 being located beneath the elements 16 and 17 which latter are located in a common horizontal plane. The journals for the elements 15 and 16 are so spaced from one another that at their line of contact the absorbent jackets on the elements 15, 16 and 17 compress one another to some extent. Thus, when liquid has been absorbed into these absorbent jackets and the elements 15-17 rotate, consecutive increments of their peripheries are alternately compressed and permitted to expand, causing intensive admixture of air with the absorbed cleaning liquid and resulting in foaming of the latter.

As already pointed out, the elements 15, 16 and 17 are to rotate about their longitudinal axes in order to produce foam. To provide such rotation the elements 16 and 17 are coupled with annular gears 18 which in turn engage with annular gears 19 of ground-engaging or surface-engaging roller elements 20 and 21 which, in the embodiment illustrated (compare FIG. 2) are here configurated as essentially cylindrical brush bodies. The bristles and the carriers of these brush bodies are of one piece of elastically yieldable synthetic plastic material, both to prevent damage to the surface being treated and to assure the necessary frictional engagement of the surface which is required to drive the elements 15-17. The device 10 rests on the elements 20 and 21, as well as additional elements 22 (compare FIG. 2) and when it is moved to and fro over the surface to be treated, these rolling elements or groundcontacting elements turn, and the elements 20 and 21 transmit their turning movement via the gears 19 and 18 to the foam-producing elements 16 and 17. The latter in turn rotate the element 15 because of their frictional engagement therewith. The foam produced in this manner contacts the surface being treated adjacent the ground-contacting elements 20 and 21 and the bristles of the latter work it into the surface.

As already indicated, the foamable substance is a cleaning liquid which is accommodated in the reservoir means 14 which is located at the level of the foam producing unit 13 and is provided on its upper side with an inlet or filling opening 25 which can be closed with an essentially cup-shaped closing member 26. The cupshaped configuration of the closure member 26 permits the use of the latter for measuring the quantity of cleaning'liquid which is to be introduced into the reservoir container .24 of the reservoir means 14. When the member 26 is to be used for closing the filling opening 25, it is inverted so that its open side faces the filling opening, and is thereupon inserted into the latter so that a handle 27 which is provided at the closed end of the member 26 is exposed at the exterior of the device and excessible for contact by a user.

Located in the interior of the reservoir means 14 is a float 28 which is configurated as a flat disk-shaped body of approximately rectangular configuration in the illustrated embodiment. This float 28 controls the supply of the cleaning liquid to the unit 13 and is provided with an outlet 29 accessible only at the upper side of the float and, as shown in FIG. 3, in communication with a troughshaped groove 24 which is provided in the 1 upper side of the float 28 and which in the normal operative position of the latter extends transversely to the to-and-fro movement of the device over a surface to be treated.

It is desirable that the position of the float in the operation of the device 10 within the liquid accommodated in the reservoir means 14 be stabilized and assured. For this purpose guide means is provided in form of a frame portion 33a section 34 of which is mounted in the region of the bottom wall of the reservoir means 14 whereas a section 36 is pivotable with reference to the. section 34 about an essentially horizontal pivot axis, being connected with the section 34 by hinge means, here illustrated as integral hinges 35.

The term integral hinge" here refers to a flexible .web of the same material usually a plasticas the sections 34 and 36 of the frame and about which the section 36 can pivot with reference to the section 34. The section 36 carries a pair of arms 30 and 31 which extend substantially vertically towards the upper side of the reservoir means 14. The float 28 is provided with a recess 32 in which the section 30 .is engaged, and the section 31 laterally abuts against the float 28 so that the latter is freely movably accommodated for vertical displacement in the reservoir means 14.

A laterally projecting pin or portion 37 of the frame 33 rides on a control cam track 38 in form of an upwardly inclined helix which is formed at the outer periphery of a hollow cylindrical control member 39 which is insertable into the filling opening 25. Turning movement of the member 39 thus causes the pin 37 to become raised or lowered, and consequently the section 36 of the frame 33; because the section 36 is located beneath the float 28, raising of the section 36 can raise the float 28 upwardly towards the upper side of the reservoir means 14.

In the upper region the member 39 is provided with a circumferential recess 41 which is bounded by a collar 40 and into which the margin bounding the filling opening 25 is snapped, so that the member 39 can turn freely about its longitudinal axis but cannot be axially withdrawn from the opening 25 when this is not desired. At the same time, a sealing effect is obtained by overlying contact of the collar 40 with the margin bounding the opening 25. The inner diameter of the member 39 is so coordinated with the outer diameter of the closure member 26 that the latter can be received in the member 39, the latter being provided with a circumferential cutout 42 into which an appropriately configurated thickening 43 of the closure member 26 is insertable. In this manner the closure member will always be inserted into the opening 25 in a predetermined orientation and, when it is turned together with the member 39 via the handle 27, a raising or lowering depending upon the direction of rotationof the frame section 36 and consequently of the float 28- from the exterior of the device 10 is obtained for reasons which will be discussed subsequently.

It has already been indicated earlier that the device 10 is moved to-and-fro over the surface to be treated or cleaned. At each reversal of its direction of movement the differential between the inertia of the float on the one hand and of the cleaning liquid in the reservoir means 14 on the other hand causes the cleaning liquid to swap over the float or the float 28 to dip deeper into the cleaning liquid. In either case, cleaning liquid will become entrapped in the groove 24, being metered therein because it will fill the groove 24 and the quantity which can be accommodated in the groove 24 is determined by the volumetric content of the latter. The thus entrapped liquid will then pass through the outlet 29 communicating with the groove 24, and will then enter into a flexible supply conduit 45 which due to its flexibility does not influence the position of the float 28 in the cleaning liquid. An end portion of the supply conduit 45, incidentally, is constructed as a rigid knee 46 in order to prevent in the region where the conduit passes through the forward wall 47 a squeezing and closing of the conduit '45. The knee 46 is also provided with a collar 48 which assures that the conduit 45 will remain in its predetermined position by being inserted into an appropriate annular gap in the housing wall.

Although the flow of liquid from the reservoir means 14 to the unit 13 is primarily controlled by the float 28 and the outlet 29 thereof, it is nevertheless advantageous to provide a separate valve controlling the flow through the supply conduit 45. As shown in FIG. 4, this valve in the illustrated embodiment uses a valve flap 49 which is provided at least on one side with a sealing cover, preferably of synthetic plastic foam material, with thiscover normally sealingly contacting and overlying the open end of the conduit 45. In the illustrated embodiment the valve flap 49 is pivotably mounted by means of an other integral hinge 51 which here is so constructed that it normally urges --due to its inherent elasticitythe valve flap to closed position. This means that the valve will normally be in closed position without requiring any positive action on the part of a user of the device 10, but can be moved to open posi tion only when such positive action is exercised.

The drawing also shows that the valve flap 49 is essentially located within a channel 52 extending from the conduit 45 to a distributor 56; it is provided with lateral portions 53 which project beyond the edge of the channel 52 --which in part is open at its upper sideand towards the bottom side of the device 10. Journal portions 54 are provided in these portions 53 for the ground contacting elements 21 which are located on opposite sides of the channel 52, as shown in FIG. 2. The position of the journal portions 54 is so selected that in the normal position, that is when the valve flap 49 is closed, they will be lower than the other journal portions of the ground contacting elements. This means that the latter project downwardly farther in the region of the journal portions 54 than in the region of the other journal portions and, when the device is placed on a surface and pressure is exerted in a sense moving it to-and-fro, the journal portions 54 move upwardly and the ground contacting elements 21 assume a horizontal position. As a result of this the valve flap 49 moves towards open position permitting flow of cleaning liquid through the conduit 45, at the same time stressing the elastically yieldable hinge 51 which permanently tends to return it to closed position if and when circumstances permit as will be discussed more fully later.

When the conduit 45 has been unblocked in the manner just discussed, cleaning liquid passes via the chan nel 52 into a distributor 56 in which there is located a trough-shaped channel 57 extending longitudinally of the distributor S6 and communicating with the channel 52. Thus, incoming cleaning liquid is rapidly distributed over the entire length of the trough 57 from which it overflows and is evenly distributed over the entire length of the distributor 56.

The drawing shows that the distributor 56 itself is of essentially trough-shaped configuration and that its longitudinal lateral margins 58 are provided with inwardly projecting beads whereas its opposite end walls 59 are of pocket-shaped configuration with the pockets being open only towards the interior of the distributor. The latter is located beneath the elements 15, 16 and 17 at the level of the bottom wall of the reservoir means 14, as clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Cleaning liquid which enters the distributor 56 is soaked up by the element 15, that is during rotation of the element 15 by circumferentially successive regions of the latter, because the element 15 is so journalled that portions of it dip into the distributor 15 over the entire length of the latter. The cross-sectional configuration of the distributor 56 is such that the beads on the margins 58 tightly contact the circumference of the element 15, whereas the end faces of the element 15 tightly contact the margins 60 at the end walls of the distributor. The purpose is to prevent any cleaning liquid in the distributor 56 from uncontrolled flowing onto or about the element l5 and then in liquid condition onto the surface where it could cause damage. Instead, the cleaning liquid in the distributor 56 can leave the latter only by being soaked up into the element 15.

The latter is journalled with a rigid shaft in fixedly mounted journals 61 provided in the end walls of the distributor 56 in order to maintain it always in proper sealing position with reference to the margins of the latter, thus provides for a constant transportation of the soaked-up cleaning liquid to the area of contact and compression of the element 15 with the elements 16 and 17. In this area the compression of portions of the elements 15, 16 and 17, followed by relaxation as these portions move beyond the area of compression, crosses intimate admixture of the soaked-up cleaning liquid with air and conversion into foam. This foam is continuously produced and evenly dosed because the supply of additional cleaning liquid into the distributor 56 is automatically regulated by the float 28.

On the other hand when the operation of the device 10 for cleaning purposes is terminated, the further flow of cleaning liquid from the reservoir means 14 is immediately terminated because termination of the to-andfro movement of the device It] prevents additional liquid from reaching the outlet 29. In addition cessation of the loading force acting upon the device 10, that is the pressure which must be exerted on the device 10 to move it to-and-fro, makes it possible for the biasing force acting upon the valve flap 49 to move to closed position and to thereby block the flow of further liquid through the conduit 45. Additionally, and to assure that the device can be transported and stored in almost any desired position without having cleaning liquid flow into and through the outlet opening 29 of the float 28, the member 39 is manipulated via the handle 27 of the member 26 in such a manner that the control cam track 38 raises the frame section 36, thereby raising the float 28 upwardly towards the upper side of the reservoir means 14 to such a position that liquid cannot normally enter the outlet 29.

As shown in FIG. 3 the reservoir means 14 and the distributor 56 constitute in the illustrated embodiment a rigid structural unit, which is removably inserted into the frame and housing of the device 10. The unit is provided on portions of the distributor 56 with circular pins or projections 62 which extend outwardly at sides opposite the journals 61 and which can be inserted into appropriate co-operating recesses in frame portions of the device 10. The rigid structural connection between the reservoir means 14 and the distributor 56 is the result on the one hand of the provision of the channel 52, and on the other hand of the provision of rigid strips or webs 63, with the reservoir means 14 and the distributor 56 being spaced at a distance which cannot vary and which is large enough for the produced foam to pass onto the surface beneath the device 10. In the illustrated embodiment the unit composed of reservoir means 14 and distributor 56 is assembled from two shell halves each of which is of one piece and which are connected with one another after the components to be accommodated in the reservoir means 14 have been inserted. Thus, each of these shell halves represents one half of reservoir means 14, one half of the channel 52 and one half of the distributor 56.

' Needless to say, it is possible to modify the illustrated embodiment in various ways without departing from the scope and intent of the invention. The elements 16 and 17 could for instance be constructed as rigid bars or the like, the ground contacting elements could be configurated differently or need not be of brush-like type. Of course, the arrangement of the journals for such ground contacting elements can also be different from what has been shown, and the contour and outline of the device 10 as a whole could be varied from what is illustrated. The valve flap 49 could be biased to normally closed position not by the integral hinge 51, but by suitable biasing element bearing upon it in a sense urging it to closed position, such a biasing element being for instance an elastomeric element, preferably one of foam rubber or the like, which may bear against a portion of the channel 52 which in the region of the valve flap 49 is of circumferentially complete configuration.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a foam producing and applying device, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Without further analysis the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can by applying current knowledge readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:

1. A foam producing and applying device, comprising housing means adapted to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied; reservoir means for a foamable substance; trough-shaped distributor means arranged to receive foamable substance from said reservoir means and having an outlet; and foaming means including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement and extending in part into said outlet for pick-up of foamable substance while concomitantly preventing free escape of said substance through said outlet, and for subsequent conversion of the picked-up substance into foam.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, said reservoir means having a bottom wall, and wherein said distributor means extends beneath said foaming element at the level of said bottom wall.

3. A foam producing and applying device, comprising housing means adapted to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied; reservoir means for a foamable substance; trough-shaped distributor means arranged to receive foamable substance from said reservoir means and having an open side bounded by opposite peripheral margins; and foaming means including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement, said foaming element extending in part into said distributor means for pick-up of foamable substance therein and subsequent conversion into foam and having a circumferential surface which tightly engages said opposite margins.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, said margins including a pair of opposite lateral longitudinally extending margins; and further comprising respective beads projecting from said lateral margins inwardly and transversely of said open side.

5. A device as defined in claim 3, said distributor means including a pair of endwalls and said margins including endwall margins; and wherein said endwalls are pocket-shaped and said endwall margins contact respective axial endfaces of said rotary foaming element.

6. A device as defined in claim 3, said distributor means having journalling portions provided upwardly of said pocket-shaped endwalls; and further comprising journalling means journalling said foaming element in said journalling portions for rotary movement with reference to said distributor means.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, said distributor means having a longitudinally extending groove-shaped recess having a length corresponding substantially to that of said foaming element and communicating with said reservoir means.

8. A device as defined in claim 7, said recess having a bottom wall and an open side, with the width of said open side being smaller than that of said bottom wall.

9. A device as defined in claim 7, said distributor means having a margin and said recess being provided below said margin and having an open side; and further comprising a channel communicating with said reservoir means and with the center region of said recess at a side away from said open side thereof.

10. A device as defined in claim 1, said reservoir means and said distributor means together constituting a rigid structural unit.

11. A device as defined in claim 10; further comprising connecting webs connecting said reservoir means and said distributor means; and opening means for issuance therethrough of foam produced by said foaming element. 

1. A foam producing and applying device, comprising housing means adapted to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied; reservoir means for a foamable substance; trough-shaped distributor means arranged to receive foamable substance from said reservoir means and having an outlet; and foaming means including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement and extending in part into said outlet for pick-up of foamable substance while concomitantly preventing free escape of said substance through said outlet, and for subsequent conversion of the picked-up substance into foam.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, said reservoir means having a bottom wall, and wherein said distributor means extends beneath said foaming element at the level of said bottom wall.
 3. A foam producing and applying device, comprising housing means adapted to be moved over a surface to which foam is to be applied; reservoir means for a foamable substance; trough-shaped distributor means arranged to receive foamable substance from said reservoir means and having an open side bounded by opposite peripheral margins; and foaming means including at least one foaming element mounted for rotary movement, said foaming element extending in part into said distributor means for pick-up of foamable substance therein and subsequent conversion into foam and having a circumferential surface which tightly engages said opposite margins.
 4. A device as defined in claim 3, said margins including a pair of opposite lateral longitudinally extending margins; and further comprising respective beads projecting from said lateral margins inwardly and transversely of said open side.
 5. A device as defined in claim 3, said distributor means including a pair of endwalls and said margins including endwall margins; and wherein said endwalls are pocket-shaped and said endwall margins contact respective axial endfaces of said rotary foaming element.
 6. A device as defined in claim 3, said distributor means having journalling portions provided upwardly of said pocket-shaped Endwalls; and further comprising journalling means journalling said foaming element in said journalling portions for rotary movement with reference to said distributor means.
 7. A device as defined in claim 1, said distributor means having a longitudinally extending groove-shaped recess having a length corresponding substantially to that of said foaming element and communicating with said reservoir means.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7, said recess having a bottom wall and an open side, with the width of said open side being smaller than that of said bottom wall.
 9. A device as defined in claim 7, said distributor means having a margin and said recess being provided below said margin and having an open side; and further comprising a channel communicating with said reservoir means and with the center region of said recess at a side away from said open side thereof.
 10. A device as defined in claim 1, said reservoir means and said distributor means together constituting a rigid structural unit.
 11. A device as defined in claim 10; further comprising connecting webs connecting said reservoir means and said distributor means; and opening means for issuance therethrough of foam produced by said foaming element. 